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Board approves $3.5 million budget reallocation to aid SoMa and Terra Bella small businesses
Summary
Supervisors passed a first-reading ordinance reappropiating $3.5 million: $3 million for a SoMa relief fund and $500,000 for transportation and Lunar New Year support, with local supervisors urging a long-term relief program for businesses affected by public works.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Feb. 27 approved on first reading an ordinance to reappropriate $3.5 million in city funds to support small businesses affected by construction and special events.
The action deappropriates approximately $3.5 million from general city reserves and reallocates $500,000 to the Municipal Transportation Agency for two-hour free parking in Portsmouth Square garages, ambassador services and transit fares for the Lunar New Year parade, and directs $3 million to the Office of Economic and Workforce Development for a relief fund to assist SoMa-area businesses and a small business transit impact relief fund for fiscal year 2023–24.
President Peskin, who led floor remarks on the item, said the measure includes $1 million specifically aimed at merchants on Terabell(e) — an area he described as severely disrupted by once-in-a-century track replacement by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. “Ripping up the entire street is a business killer,” President Peskin said, arguing merchants need immediate assistance to survive the construction disruption until transit service and customers return.
Support and co-sponsors: Supervisor Melgar and Supervisor Safaie asked to be added as co-sponsors on the ordinance during the meeting. Supervisors credited collaborative work by the budget committee and highlighted an opportunity to use unspent funds from last fall’s APEC conference to help affected merchants.
Why it matters: proponents said the reallocation is aimed at preserving long-standing local businesses that face steep revenue declines during infrastructure projects and special-event disruptions. Speakers called for creation of a standing fund to support merchants during future large-scale public works.
Vote and next steps: the ordinance passed on first reading by roll call with 11 ayes. The item moves forward for second reading and final passage; supervisors signaled intention to develop longer-term relief mechanisms for other major construction projects around the city.
Funding details contained in the ordinance read into the record by the clerk specified the amounts and uses: $3.5 million deappropriated from general city responsibility; $500,000 to MTA for parking, ambassador and transit fares for Lunar New Year; $3,000,000 to Office of Economic and Workforce Development for the SoMa relief fund and small business transit impact relief fund for FY 2023–24.
